Nov 05: Canada’s New Visa Law, Delhi’s Silent Killer

If, like us, you still have that one friend going on about their artisanal sourdough starter you can now finally tell them to shut up. India’s very own Butter Garlic Naan has topped the global bread rankings, earning its rightful place as the undisputed champion of carb indulgence. Garam garam naan … dal makhni … sirke waale pyaaz … oh ho ho.

Now, let’s get into the Dispatch! 🚀

Today’s reading time is 6 mins.

The Indian stock market indices ended with significant losses on Tuesday, driven by profit booking and weak global cues. The downturn was fuelled by rising concerns that Wall Street is heading for a crash due to unsustainable tech valuations. 

Canada’s New Visa Law: In a move that’s stirring both concern and debate, Canada is pushing for sweeping new powers to cancel entire groups of temporary visas, citing a sharp rise in fraudulent applications, many traced back to India. The proposed Bill C-12 would allow authorities to revoke multiple visas at once under “exceptional circumstances,” such as fraud, security risks, or crises like war or pandemics. The legislation, currently before Parliament, grants the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) the authority to identify problematic applicant groups. Once approved by the Governor in Council and published in the Canada Gazette, these classes of visas could be swiftly cancelled. While officials frame it as a necessary tool to protect immigration integrity, critics worry it might open doors to sweeping, unfair actions.

Fraud Cases On The Rise: The timing is no coincidence. Canada has been struggling with a surge in fraudulent student applications, particularly from India. In 2023, over 1,550 fake letters of acceptance from Indian agents were uncovered, a number that ballooned globally to more than 14,000 by 2024. This crackdown has coincided with a dramatic spike in student visa rejections: nearly 74% of Indian study permit applications were rejected in mid-2025, more than double the previous year. Universities across Canada are already feeling the pinch, with some reporting a two-thirds drop in Indian enrolments.

The Bigger Picture: For Indian students and professionals aspiring to Canada, the scrutiny is tightening. For Canada, the challenge is to strike a balance: safeguarding its borders without alienating one of its largest and most dynamic migrant groups.

Delhi’s Silent Killer: It’s official, Delhi isn’t just battling smog; it’s battling survival. A new study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that nearly 15% of all deaths in Delhi in 2023 were linked to air pollution. That’s more than 17,000 lives lost in a single year, a grim reminder that the capital’s toxic air is far deadlier than most diseases.

The Silent Killer In The Air: Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, is the chief culprit. Invisible to the naked eye, it seeps deep into the lungs, enters the bloodstream, and quietly wreaks havoc on the heart, brain, and other organs. The study notes that air pollution was a bigger killer than high blood pressure or diabetes, making it Delhi’s single largest health risk last year. The tragedy isn’t seasonal anymore, the capital now lives under a near-permanent haze of dust, fumes, and exhaust.

Numbers That Should Alarm Everyone: Between 2018 and 2023, deaths linked to polluted air climbed from 15,786 to 17,188, despite multiple government interventions and winter action plans. Researchers pointed out that while stubble burning contributed less than 6% of Delhi’s pollution even during peak months, vehicular emissions and industrial output remain the biggest offenders. The city’s lungs, it seems, are collapsing under its own traffic and construction dust.

Denial And The Cost Of Delay: Even as data mounts, India’s Environment Ministry maintains there’s “no conclusive evidence” directly linking air pollution to premature deaths. But for doctors and residents gasping through worsening winters, the evidence is in every wheeze and every emergency room visit. Treating pollution merely as an “environmental issue” misses the larger truth this is a public health emergency unfolding in slow motion.

A Breathless Future Unless We Act: If one in seven deaths in the capital can be traced to the air its people breathe, the city’s future demands more than token bans and emergency measures. It calls for rethinking urban mobility, industrial emissions, and lifestyle choices. Because in Delhi today, clean air is no longer a right it’s becoming a luxury few can afford.

Adani Enterprises Q2 Results: Despite a 6% year-on-year drop in revenue in Q2, Adani Enterprises’ consolidated net profit soared by 84% to ₹3,199 crore, driven by exceptional gains. The turnaround hinges on one-time factors rather than core business growth, as underlying earnings were under pressure. The board also approved a rights issue to raise up to ₹25,000 crore, indicating aggressive capital raising plans ahead.

IndiGo Q2 Results: IndiGo crashed into the red in Q2 FY26, posting a net loss of ₹2,582 crore, sharply wider than a year-earlier loss of about ₹987 crore. Revenue rose by ~9% year-on-year, but soaring forex losses and cost pressures weighed heavily.

Dassault Aviation Doubles Engineering Footprint In India: French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has more than doubled its engineering capacity in India by expanding its Pune centre to over 150 engineers, aligning with its global delivery strategy.

HP’s Big ‘Make in India’ Push: HP is ramping up its local manufacturing ambitions, aiming to produce every PC it sells in India domestically within the next 3–5 years. The company already assembles laptops and desktops in Chennai and plans to deepen its local sourcing ecosystem.

India Eyes New Trade Pacts To Boost Exports: New Delhi is accelerating negotiations on free trade agreements (FTAs) with the EU, Chile, and New Zealand, targeting closure before year-end. The deals are expected to unlock new export markets and secure critical raw materials like rare earths.

Superannuation Boom: As populations age and public debt balloons, governments across the world are looking for a quiet saviour - their citizens’ own retirement savings. What was once a social safety net fully woven by the state is now being re-stitched with personal responsibility, private pension funds, and long-term investment vehicles.

The Demographic Squeeze: The challenge is simple yet severe: fewer workers, more retirees. In advanced economies, the ratio of working adults to pensioners is shrinking fast, threatening to upend the delicate balance that funds state pensions. Governments are spending more on healthcare and social welfare, leaving less fiscal room to support expanding pension obligations. Encouraging individuals to build their own retirement corpus, therefore, isn’t just policy reform it’s financial triage.

Superannuation, The New Financial Backbone: Countries like Australia and the UK have already shifted towards compulsory superannuation or occupational pension systems, where citizens are nudged and sometimes required to save for their future. These funds not only reduce pressure on state finances but also create massive investment reservoirs that can power national infrastructure, innovation, and long-term growth. For policymakers, it’s a twofold win: citizens secure their future, and governments gain breathing space on debt management.

Risks Of Shifting Responsibility: However, this quiet fiscal revolution isn’t without its risks. The move from state-backed pensions to market-linked funds transfers financial risk from governments to individuals. A weak job market, inflation, or poor investment returns can erode retirement savings, leaving millions vulnerable. Critics argue that without adequate regulation and social support, this shift could deepen inequality, the financially literate will thrive, while others may struggle to keep up.

Starbucks Cuts Stake In China Unit Amid Local Rivalry: Starbucks is divesting 60% of its China operations to Boyu Capital for $4 billion, signaling a major shift in strategy amid fierce competition from homegrown chains like Luckin Coffee. The move marks one of the biggest foreign exits in China’s food and beverage sector.

McDavid Joins Hockey’s Elite With 1,100 Career Points: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid etched his name alongside NHL greats like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux after reaching 1,100 career points against the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old achieved the milestone in record time, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dynamic players in modern hockey.

Shein Faces French Backlash Over Sale Of Sex Dolls: Fast-fashion giant Shein is facing regulatory heat in France after being accused of selling sex dolls, prompting threats of a potential ban. The company said it will cooperate with authorities and disclose supplier details to ensure compliance. This controversy adds to Shein’s growing list of global challenges, from environmental scrutiny to labor-rights concerns.

Amazon Wins Big In AI With $38 B Deal: Amazon has struck a major $38 billion, seven-year agreement with OpenAI to supply cloud infrastructure, signalling it’s no longer lagging in the AI race. The tie-up comes as Amazon’s cloud share dropped from 34 % to 29 % amid stiff competition. Analysts say the contract could boost Amazon Web Services’ backlog by about 20 % in Q4

Coca‑Cola Uses AI For Its 2025 Holiday Ad, But Reaction Mixed: Coca-Cola has rolled out its 2025 “Holidays Are Coming” campaign created with generative AI, replacing live-action imagery with animated animals and a shorter production timeline. The company says AI helped deliver the ad in about one month rather than a year, but some viewers criticised the visuals as weak and impersonal.

Tesla Hires Ex-Lamborghini India Head To Steer Local Entry: Tesla is reportedly set to appoint Sharad Agarwal, former head of Lamborghini India, to lead its sales operations in the country. The move comes as Tesla India launch has so far been underwhelming. Agarwal’s appointment signals Tesla’s intent to position itself as a premium electric brand in one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets.

Hinduja Group Chairman Gopichand P. Hinduja Passes Away: Gopichand P. Hinduja, the eldest of the four Hinduja brothers and chairman of the $20-billion Hinduja Group, has died at age 85 in London. Known for his business acumen and global influence, he played a pivotal role in expanding the conglomerate’s footprint across banking, energy, and automobiles.

McDonald’s To Add Millets To Menu In Partnership With Government: McDonald’s India is teaming up with the government to introduce millet-based dishes, aligning with India’s push to promote “super grains” for healthier diets. The collaboration supports the UN-designated International Year of Millets initiative and aims to cater to evolving urban food preferences. The chain will soon roll out millet burgers and other locally inspired items.

Bilaspur Train Collision Kills Five, Injures Several: A tragic rail accident occurred in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district when a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, killing at least five people and injuring many others. Rescue operations were launched swiftly, with officials citing a signal failure as a possible cause. Authorities have ordered an inquiry, and compensation has been announced for the victims’ families.

Zoho’s Arattai App Falls Behind In Messaging Race: Zoho’s homegrown chat app Arattai, once touted as India’s answer to WhatsApp, has slipped out of the top 100 free apps on both Android and iOS. Despite initial buzz around data privacy and Made-in-India branding, the platform has struggled to retain users amid fierce competition from global players. Analysts point to lack of innovation and low engagement as key hurdles.

Finland Backs India’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat: Finnish President Alexander Stubb has voiced strong support for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, calling India a “future superpower.” He spotlighted India’s growing global influence and partnership potential in security, climate, and technology. The endorsement adds to international backing for long-overdue UNSC reforms.

India’s Women Cricketers’ Brand Value Soars: Following their historic World Cup triumph, India’s women cricketers are witnessing a massive jump in endorsement deals and brand valuations. Star batter Jemimah Rodrigues has reportedly doubled her brand fee, while several teammates are in talks with major sponsors. The win is being hailed as a turning point for women’s sports marketing in India. 

THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY!

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